A new global nighttime map released by NASA has revealed a sharp rise in artificial lighting across parts of India, with the Uttar Pradesh–Bihar region emerging as one of the brightest areas on Earth.
The map is based on analysis of 1.6 million satellite images captured nightly over 9 years, from 2014 to 2022. Scientists used data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite to track changes in nighttime lighting across the globe.
Led by researchers Tian Li and Zhe Zhu at the University of Connecticut, the study used a new algorithm to identify patterns in light intensity. In the map, gold regions indicate increased brightness, while purple areas show dimming or lower light levels.
India, China, the Middle East, and Central America appear largely in gold, reflecting rising urbanisation and infrastructure growth. In contrast, Europe shows more purple tones, indicating a relative decline in nighttime brightness during the same period.
Within India, northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar recorded significant increases in lighting, driven by urban development and expanded electricity access. The region’s brightness drew strong reactions on social media, with users highlighting improvements in power supply, infrastructure, and economic activity.
Many users pointed to better electricity availability—rising from earlier 6–8 hours to nearly 21–23 hours in several areas—as a key factor behind the visible transformation from space.
The study covers most inhabited regions of the planet, from 60° south to 70° north latitude, and is detailed enough to detect light sources as small as a toll booth on a dark highway.
“Earth at night has so much to teach us,” said Miguel Roman, noting that such data can provide insights into energy use, development patterns, and even national security considerations.
The findings highlight how satellite data is increasingly being used to track real-world progress, offering a unique view of how infrastructure, electrification, and urban growth are reshaping regions over time.
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